Hope is a Strategy: Why Leaders Must Learn to Cultivate It

What do people all over the world want most from their leaders? According to Gallup's research presented at the World Government Summit, the answer is hope. Not strategy. Not vision decks. Hope. And yet almost no leadership development programme teaches it.

Ian Pettigrew has spent years researching exactly this gap. In this conversation, he unpacks what hope actually is — and why it's not the same as optimism, positivity, or wishful thinking. Hope, by his definition, is a belief that the future can be better combined with knowing what you can do to make it so. That small distinction changes everything about how leaders show up, how teams perform, and why some people find a way through the hardest circumstances while others don't.

This episode goes deep on the practical side: Ian's Hope Play Sheet (free at hope.tips), why toxic positivity actively undermines hope, what the Fyre Festival documentary teaches us about silencing concerns, and why some leaders have already scuppered their ability to inspire hope before any tactic can help. Ian also brings his own story — recovering from a trimalleolar ankle fracture during lockdown and training to cycle the height of Everest on an indoor bike — as a lived demonstration of the framework he teaches.

If you lead people and you've ever been told to "give your team more hope" without any guidance on how to actually do it, this is the episode that fills that gap.

Keywords: Ian Pettigrew, Hope, Leadership, Realistic Optimism, Hope Play Sheet, Positive Psychology, Employee Engagement, Workplace Culture, Strengths, Resilience

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Ian Pettigrew

05:40 The Everest Challenge: A Journey of Hope

13:32 Ian's Life Journey and Career Path

23:58 Exploring the Concept of Hope

28:32 Practical Tools for Cultivating Hope

33:21 The Balance of Realistic Optimism

38:43 Practical Steps for Leaders

What if the secret to your next breakthrough idea isn't thinking harder — but getting your ego completely out of the way?

Fredrik Haren has spent 25 years and visited 75+ countries on a single mission: to understand where the best ideas actually come from. He calls himself the Creativity Explorer, and in this conversation with Debra and Ken, he lives up to the title — dismantling assumptions about creativity, sharing stories from Thailand to Bhutan to Vietnam, and leaving you with one deceptively simple challenge that could change how you think forever.

You'll hear why a Thai origami artist has never experienced creative anxiety (and what her "idea nap" can teach stressed-out Western teams), why the Norwegian rail company turned a humiliating mistake into their most prized internal award, and why the origin of AI traces back to an African tribe praying with sticks and stones.

Fredrik argues that creativity isn't a talent, a technique, or a team-building exercise. It's an inward motion — a path to discovering who you truly are. And the single biggest thing standing in your way? Your ego.

Whether you're a leader trying to build a genuinely creative culture, a professional tired of innovation theatre, or simply someone who wants to think differently — this episode will rewire how you see ideas.

Keywords: Fredrik Haren, Creativity, Innovation, Leadership, Creative Block, Workplace Culture, Diversity of Thought, Ego, Constraints, Idea Generation, Cross-Cultural Insights, Professional Speaking, Meditation, Personal Development

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Fredrik Haren and the Origins of a Creativity Explorer

02:33 Creativity Is Different to Different People

03:19 The Problem with "Creative Accounting"

04:02 Insights from 37 Countries on Creativity

05:50 The Thai Origami Artist and the Idea Nap

08:26 Why Creativity Matters — The Second Best Human Feeling

09:59 Hackathons, Belonging and Ideation Empathy

12:39 When Companies Talk Innovation but Punish Mistakes

15:31 The Norwegian Rail Clip — A Lesson in Corporate Humility

16:07 Open the Door to Possibilities

17:08 From Expert to Explorer — A Child's Accidental Rebrand

19:43 Life on Swan Island and the Power of Curiosity

20:21 Paying It Forward in Professional Speaking

22:05 It's Not Copyright, It's Copying Right

24:06 From African Sticks and Stones to AI

27:54 Why We Fail to Copy Good Ideas

28:53 Marry Someone from a Different Culture

30:31 Diversity as a Creativity Superpower

31:30 Stop Blaming Companies — Blame Yourself

32:12 Role Model Creativity as a Leader

33:29 Why Constraints Fuel Better Ideas

35:21 What Gets in the Way — Ego as the Creativity Killer

37:30 Creativity Is an Inward Motion

39:07 T-Shirts, Slogans and Humanity to the Power of Ideas

40:17 Fredrik's One Challenge — Meditate for Five Minutes

42:37 Mortal Ideas vs Divine Ideas

42:54 Where to Find Fredrik Haren

Employee engagement just hit a decade low -- despite over a billion dollars poured into fixing it. What if the entire industry has been solving the wrong problem?

Leadership researcher Zach Mercurio has spent years studying what actually makes people thrive at work. His answer isn't another engagement framework or recognition platform. It's something far more elemental: mattering. The daily experience of feeling seen, heard, valued, and needed by the people around you. His research across 22 industries and thousands of workers reveals a striking pattern -- it's never the perks, the awards, or the programs. It's the micro-moments. A name remembered. A unique strength named. A check-in that has nothing to do with project status.

In this conversation, Zach unpacks the three pillars of mattering, explains why "hurry and care can't coexist," and shares one deceptively simple question that has transformed relationships from boardrooms to car rides with teenagers. He also challenges the "toxic employee" label (less than 1.5% of people are actually narcissists), reframes quiet quitting as a natural withdrawal response to feeling insignificant, and makes the case that leadership is a separate occupation -- not something you bolt onto technical expertise.

Whether you lead a team of 3 or 3,000, this episode will change how you think about every interaction you have tomorrow.

Keywords: Zach Mercurio, Mattering, Leadership, Purpose, Employee Engagement, Meaningfulness, Workplace Culture, Human Connection, Curiosity, Personal Development

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Zach Mercurio and His Journey

02:48 The Importance of Mattering in Work and Life

05:57 Understanding the Concept of Mattering

09:01 The Power of Small Interactions

12:00 The Need for Genuine Connection

15:02 The Mattering Deficit in Modern Society

17:58 Re-Skilling for Human Connection

20:55 The Three Pillars of Mattering

23:18 The Importance of Caring and Affirmation

25:30 Understanding Leadership as an Occupation

30:32 Recognizing Signs of Disengagement

36:06 Practical Steps to Foster Mattering

38:56 Curiosity About Mattering in Leadership

What happens when a company in a small community decides to go all-in on its people — and wins Employer of the Year doing it?

Sally Gibson, MD of Dawleys, didn't follow a textbook. She built a culture where employees nominate each other on a "WOW Board," where every single role has its own purpose and mission statement, and where leaders are measured not by how tightly they control — but by how freely they let go.

In this episode, Sally reveals the surprisingly simple practices behind Dawleys' award-winning culture: why hiring for attitude beats hiring for skills, how psychological safety turns average teams into exceptional ones, and the recognition programme that costs almost nothing but changed everything.

If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like when a business puts people genuinely first — not as a slogan, but as a strategy — this is the conversation you need to hear.

Keywords: Dawleys, Sally Gibson, leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, awards, community responsibility, employee development, recognition programs, customer service

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dawleys and Sally Gibson

02:29 Winning Awards and Recognition

05:06 Creating a Culture of Trust and Safety

07:31 The Importance of Development in Leadership

10:10 Leadership Philosophy and Personal Growth

12:40 Measuring Employee Happiness and Engagement

14:59 The WOW Board and Recognition Practices

17:43 Leadership Journey and Global Experiences

25:33 Recognizing Community Impact

29:35 Building a Supportive Workplace Culture

34:31 Developing Leadership Skills

44:56 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership

Summary

In this conversation, Dan Green discusses the importance of feedback in corporate culture, the concept of Radical Candor, and the essential qualities of great leadership. He emphasizes the need for trust and connection in leadership roles, the significance of giving and receiving feedback, and how military lessons can be applied to modern management practices. The discussion highlights the challenges many leaders face in providing effective feedback and the necessity of fostering a culture of appreciation and open communication.

Keywords

feedback, leadership, Radical Candor, corporate culture, appreciation, trust, management, communication, employee engagement, military leadership

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dan Green

02:14 Understanding the Feedback Crisis

11:16 The Concept of Radical Candor

17:41 Building a Feedback Culture

23:51 The Importance of Timing in Feedback

24:17 Defining Great Leadership

27:07 Sustainable Leadership vs. Short-Term Success

28:43 Engagement and Team Performance

29:42 Debunking Leadership Myths

32:45 Lessons from Military Leadership

37:49 Building Trust and Connection in Leadership

In this engaging conversation, Ben Morton, a leadership expert, discusses the intersection of AI and leadership. He shares insights on how AI is transforming leadership roles, the essential competencies of great leaders, and the ethical considerations leaders must keep in mind when using AI. The discussion emphasizes the importance of human connection, critical thinking, and the need for leaders to embrace AI as a tool for enhancing their effectiveness rather than replacing their roles. Ben also introduces his AI clone, BenAI, designed to support ongoing learning and development for leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Leadership

05:45 Ben's Journey and Leadership Philosophy

19:12 AI's Impact on Leadership Competencies

26:37 The Risks of AI in Leadership

27:58 What Should Leaders Avoid Delegating to AI?

33:09 The Importance of Embracing AI as a Leader

39:16 Using AI to Enhance Curiosity and Decision-Making

40:08 Introducing BenAI: A Personal AI Clone for Leadership

42:37 The Core Truth of Leadership

Keywords

AI, leadership, Ben Morton, leadership competencies, AI in business, ethical leadership, critical thinking, management vs leadership, BenAI

Chapters

00:57 Exploring ‘Surrounded by Bad Bosses’

15:01 The Importance of Communication Styles

19:29 Leadership Dynamics and Trust

22:26 The Power of Admitting Uncertainty

25:27 Understanding Leadership and Management

29:30 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership

32:43 The Need for Purpose in Leadership

36:08 Cultural Expectations of Leadership

40:22 The Disconnect Between Expertise and Leadership

Summary

In this second part, the focus shifts to *Surrounded by Bad Bosses* and the everyday psychology of working with - and being - a boss. Thomas traces the path from his earlier books to a “two‑books‑in‑one” format that helps managers and employees understand each other’s realities. He argues most bad bosses aren’t malicious - they’re unaware - and makes the case that self‑awareness is the best predictor of leadership effectiveness because it unlocks people skills and clear communication. Using practical analogies (you need two points on the map to plan any journey), he explains why leaders must know their own pace and adapt up or down to meet others. The discussion covers trust, clarity, and accountability; why expertise doesn’t automatically translate into leadership; how to map a team’s colour mix to anticipate friction (Excel vs PowerPoint people); and why leaders must still lead - listening deeply without abdicating decisions. The hosts connect Thomas’s views to their 3 A’s (Awareness, Acceptance, Action), and the group explores creating conversations that seek causes over blame, so issues get solved rather than recycled.

Keywords

Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Bad Bosses, leadership, management, trust, communication styles, team dynamics, self-awareness, purpose, clarity, servant leadership debate, mapping team styles, adaptation, psychological safety, expectations, accountability, expertise vs leadership

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thomas Erikson and His Work

02:42 The Concept Behind 'Surrounded by Idiots'

07:36 Understanding Personality Colours and Their Impact

12:15 Cultural Differences and Commonalities in Human Behaviour

18:07 Finding the Right Work Environment for Your Personality

23:27 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Communication

29:19 Navigating Workplace Relationships and Communication Styles

35:31 Understanding Different Management Styles

39:13 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership

40:15 The Evolution of Thomas Erikson's Work

45:28 Connecting with Audiences Through Social Media

Summary

We kick off Season 2 with a barnstormer of a podcast! It was so big we had to split it into two sections! Today is part 1, where Swedish behaviourist and bestselling author Thomas Erikson introduces *Surrounded by Idiots* and the colour-based interpretation of the DISC model. He explains why the provocative title works as a mirror for our own communication blind spots and why most people are blends of colours rather than single types. The conversation explores universal patterns he’s observed worldwide - despite cultural differences - and practical ways to adapt when you don’t yet know someone’s style (“go green”: talk less, listen more, ask open questions). Thomas contrasts natural style vs work style, warns that long-term over‑adaptation - especially across opposite colours (e.g., red at work, green at home) - can lead to stress and burnout, and encourages people to seek environments where they can thrive. He and the hosts discuss labels vs helpful language, clarity vs endless meetings, and why communication - not process - causes most workplace friction. Thomas shares early-career lessons from being a “lousy boss,” underscores personal responsibility in conflicts, and previews the expanded edition of *Surrounded by Idiots* with added material on motivations/drivers and answers to the most frequent reader questions, refined for a wider audience.

Keywords

Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Idiots, personality colours, DISC colours, communication, listening, cultural differences, behaviourism, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, workplace fit, burnout risk, mentoring, adaptation, Finnish culture, clarity, expanded edition

Join hosts Ken and Debra Corey for an eye-opening conversation with Grace Judson – a leadership coach, former Fortune 500 executive (25+ years at EMC, Munich Re, HP), and author of The Five Deadly Shoulds of Office Politics. Grace shares how embracing leadership humility and vulnerability can transform your leadership mindset and team culture.

We delve into building a coaching culture where managers coach rather than command, fostering psychological safety so even quiet voices are heard, and empowering your people without falling into common traps. Grace discusses her “three resistance monsters” framework for effective change management, revealing why communicating the “why” of change (not just the how) is critical to gaining buy-in – echoing Simon Sinek’s emphasis on purpose. She also tackles trust and empowerment: why trust is the foundation of any great team, how leaders can rebuild trust after missteps, and how true empowerment involves guidance and clarity (not just tossing people in the deep end). Grace candidly challenges conventional wisdom on office politics and the “deadly shoulds,” showing how to navigate workplace dynamics with authenticity and courage.

This episode is packed with real-life stories – from Ken’s own lesson in humility to wisdom from thought leaders like Alan Alda (on listening), Brené Brown (on vulnerability), and Grace Hopper (on leading vs managing). Grace even touches on her OHIMA 2024 keynote on the emotional, people-centric side of change leadership, underscoring the human heart of successful change.

Tune in for a masterclass on leading with empathy, clarity, and courage – perfect for senior HR professionals, seasoned executives, and anyone aspiring to lead positive change. Don’t forget to subscribe to Corey-osity Unleashed, leave a review, follow us on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed for more insights and episodes.

Keywords:

#LeadershipHumility #CoachingCulture #PsychologicalSafety #ChangeManagement #LeadershipMindset #OfficePolitics #TeamDynamics #TrustAndEmpowerment #EmployeeEngagement #ChangeLeadership

In a world where workplace culture can make or break performance, Claude Silver is proving that heart-led leadership drives results. As the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia – and a sought-after speaker on modern leadership – Claude has transformed traditional HR into a people-first experience. She’s now channeling her insights into an upcoming book, Be Yourself at Work, to help leaders build more authentic cultures. In this emotionally charged yet practical episode, Claude shares how infusing empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine human connection into business can ignite engagement and boost the bottom line.

Claude’s Journey & Vision: We explore her unconventional rise to the C-suite and how she partnered with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to build a vibrant, high-trust culture from the ground up. Claude discusses her philosophy of “bringing humanity to the workplace,” recounting powerful learning moments that shaped her approach. You’ll hear how she turned HR into a strategic People and Experience team, aligning talent development, employee well-being, and business outcomes.

Key Insights for HR Leaders: This conversation dives into the how-to for today’s future of work challenges – from hybrid work dynamics to strengthening engagement and inclusion. Claude breaks down why diversity and inclusion in hiring isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s smart business – and how creating a culture of belonging fuels innovation. We talk about building a coaching culture where continuous feedback and accountability accelerate growth. Claude emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership, illustrating how emotional intelligence bridges cross-cultural gaps and drives employee engagement.

Whether you’re an HR director reimagining your company culture or a manager striving to elevate team performance, Claude’s stories and strategies will resonate. She shows that when leaders show up with empathy, authenticity, and intentional support, employees thrive – and businesses do too.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave a review – your support helps more leaders find these insights.

🎧 Want more human-first leadership like this? Subscribe and listen to the full episode at StepItUpHR.com/Corey-osityUnleashed.

💡 Learn more about Claude’s approach at ClaudeSilver.com

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Discovery Keywords/Hashtags:

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #HR